What are pros and cons of different quick release systems?

Question

Some overlooked detail in photography are quick release systems. I found it tough to get good information about them, and since they tend to be rather expensive I'd like to hear pros and cons of different quick release systems and brands.

Answer

If you have any interest in extra tripod head gear, whether it be panoramic heads, macro focus rails, L-brackets or anything else in that space then your first concern is going to be interoperability and standardization.

Unfortunately the quick release market is horribly fragmented with each major tripod brand having several unique systems.

To the degree that there is any interoperability and standardization at all, the Arca-Swiss style brackets are clearly the leader.

Notably Arca-Swiss style is now the standard system for the larger third party tripod accessory vendors like Really Right Stuff and Fanotec.

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